Key Lime Margaritas

These Key Lime Margaritas make a great “rocks” rita. High quality tequila blanco, FRESH key limes and high quality orange liqueur makes this a simple, yet great marg! Margaritas are the ultimate warm weather cocktail and the perfect way to kick off Summer! Also, they are quite easy to make!

Key Limes vs Regular Limes

What makes these margaritas special is using fresh Key lime juice instead of regular lime juice. Regular limes that you find at the grocery store are typically larger and more tart than Key limes. Key limes, which are primarily grown in the Florida Keys (hence the name), also are less acidic than limes. Since they are smaller, you will need more of these to make these Key Lime Margaritas, but the fresh juice of the Key limes is a real treat in these margaritas. Most grocery stores will carry Key limes while they are in season during summer months. But if you cannot find key limes, you can still make a delicious margarita with just lime juice, or check out our Sweet & Spicy Jalapeño Pineapple Tequila Cocktail for a fun twist.

What is in a margarita?

Typically margaritas include tequila, orange liqueur, and lime juice. Now you can easily find a variety of margarita mixes available in most stores in which you just add tequila and ice. However, we do not prefer these types of mixes because they often pack extra sugar and concentrates or artificial flavorings rather than the fresh juices you will get in our Key Lime Margarita recipe. We also prefer to use a Blanco, or white, Tequila such as Heradura, as well as Grand Marnier for the orange liqueur.

Rocks or Blended?

This version is best on the rocks in our opinion, and that is also the easiest to make, requiring the least amount of equipment, but you do you! If you can’t live without that blended marg by the pool, then we highly recommend blending in a very good blender to get that amazingly smooth texture. Check out our go-to bar and kitchen essentials in our Amazon store HERE. Either way, this Key Lime Margarita is best rimmed with either salt or something a bit unique, which is our preference. We like to use a Mexican Chile Powder made to sprinkle on fruit called Trechas. We highly recommend trying this out. Another option is Tajin, which is a lime, chili pepper and salt combo and is great on these margaritas as well.

We hope you enjoy these Key Lime Margaritas! If you give them a try leave us a comment below or tag us on Instagram @cooking_with_wine.